Coroner says hiker died from heart problem

Published 11:07 pm Wednesday, July 21, 2010

WENATCHEE — The Chelan County coroner has positively identified the body of a man found off a trail near Windy Pass as that of hiker Mark Swenson of Soap Lake, Wash.

Coroner Wayne Harris says dental records were used to confirm the identity of the 55-year-old man missing since July 6. Harris says Swenson had hypertensive heart disease and an event similar to a heart attack caused his death.

The man’s wife, Lois Swenson, says he was an experienced hiker and trail runner who had hoped to hike up 8,500-foot Mount Cashmere. Family members continued searching for him after a county sheriff’s search ended. Another hiker found his body Saturday within the search area but off the main trail.

Information from: The Wenatchee World, http://www.wenatcheeworld.com